Innovation seen as key to Sino-German cooperation

Trade deals and guidelines for mid- and long-term cooperation between China and Germany are likely to be endorsed during Premier Li Keqiang’s visit, said China’s top diplomat to Germany.

The agreements will include trade cooperation in the automobile and telecommunications industries between companies from the two countries. The guidelines will cover politics, economics, finance, the humanities, science and education, Chinese Ambassador to Germany Shi Mingde said.

Shi said innovation in bilateral relations will highlight the cooperation guidelines.

China will serve as a partner to co-host Hannover Messe 2015, a five-day event showcasing innovative technologies around the world.

Li’s visit to Germany from Oct 9 to Oct 11 follows President Xi Jinping’s visit to Germany in March and German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s trip to China in July.

Shi said it is rare in the history of Sino-German relations to see such top-level visits in one year. The Chinese premier will also co-chair the third round of the China-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations with Merkel. Shi said the meetings reflect the leaders’ close working and personal relationship.

On Oct 11, Li will attend the Hamburg Summit, a biennial conference on Sino-European economic relations, to give the keynote speech. At the summit, he will elaborate on China’s domestic economic situation and the central government’s decisions and strategies for reform and opening-up. Li will also offer proposals for further development of China-EU relations, Shi said.

China is Germany’s largest trading partner in Asia while Germany is also China’s largest trading partner in Europe. Trade volume between the two countries accounted for 30 percent of China-European trade.

“Facts have proved that Chinese companies that invest in Germany are not looking for a one-off deal and they are not there to steal technology. They are committed to long-term development in Germany in order to expand global business,” Shi said.

Chinese investment in Germany has been beneficial to the German job market and the economy, he said.

“Sino-German relations have been playing a leading role in the development of the China-Europe relationship,” Shi said.